***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE*** Assembly Democratic Budget Committee Members on Passage of the FY 2010 Budget

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON PASSAGE OF THE FY 2010 BUDGET

(TRENTON) - The Democratic members of the Assembly Budget Committee today issued a multimedia package on the Assembly passage of New Jersey's annual appropriations act for fiscal year 2010.

The $28.9 billion fiscal year 2010 budget (A-4100) is about $4 billion less than last year - representing the largest spending cut in state history - and would:

• Provide property tax rebates to households earning less than $75,000 per year;
• Retain the property tax deduction for households earning up to $250,000 per year;
• Devote more than half of state spending to property tax relief;
• Cap tuition increases at 3 percent and increase direct college student assistance by about 10 percent; and
• Increase school aid by $270 million.

The multimedia package consists of a video press release on the budget, audio of same and a transcript of statements from the Democratic committee members.

The video can be accessed directly via our Web site - www.assemblydems.com - or by clicking here.

The audio file is available upon request.

A transcript of statements from the Democratic Assembly Budget Committee members is appended below:

Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic), Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair:

"Let me begin by saying that this budget protects the most vulnerable members of our community.  We're talking about our senior citizens; we're talking about our disabled population; we're talking about children; we're talking about families that really are working hard to make sure that they put food on the table."

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden), Assembly Budget Committee Chairman:

"It's the first governor to have two declining budgets back to back.  It is a record number of reduction in revenues.  It was done in many respects through changing policy to make sure that when cuts went into place, it didn't affect the citizens who we represent.  To make sure again, that the most vulnerable were protected and that we got the most for our dollars."

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D-Passaic), Assembly Budget Committee Vice-Chair:

"The President's initiatives, in terms of the stimulus package, have had a tremendous effect upon us - a very, very positive effect.  We'll be receiving billions of dollars, more than we have ever received in the past, in terms of the government from a percentage point of view.  That's very exciting."

Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex):

"I think this is a very tough budget, but I think when you compare what's going on in other states:  California had to cut $7.5 billion from their budget.  There are states that are thinking about cutting children from Medicaid.  There are states that are cutting their school week by one day, not to mention mass layoffs."

Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson):

"When the tax amnesty program - which the Democrats all voted for - brought in more money than we expected, we said, 'No question what we're going to do with it.  We're going to give it back to the taxpayers in the form of relief.'"

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union):

"As has been noted, the last cut that was made in this budget was the property tax relief.  And the first thing to be restored with the extra money is property tax relief, as that is the number one issue for all New Jerseyans."

Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson (D-Bergen):

"I think it's the right idea.  I think it's the proper way to go, because it's the middle class who are now going to benefit from this windfall."

Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D-Gloucester):

"This is a budget that spends less this year than spent four years ago.  So within that smaller amount of money that we had, we had to keep our priorities focused, which is protecting the most vulnerable and trying to get as much help as we can in to working families and working households across the state.  We've accomplished a lot of that.  We'd like to do more, we know we have to do more but, considering the circumstances, we got a lot done with what little we had."